Greetings all, Ive been lurking here and looking at photos for a few months now, while Ive been building my bar in my basement. The project is far enough along that I decided to join the group and post a few pics. As Ive learned here already, its never really done, and is a perpetual work in progress. please tell me what you think...The standing tiki actually grew as you see it. Last year I had a tree blow down in my yard during a wind storm, while I was cutting it up I saw the human figure in the branches and cut it out as is. I plan to add a better mask in the near future. Oh by the way. Sterling Beer is from a now defunct local brewery. Ive been collecting their stuff for several years.
Thanks,
Randy

It appears brighter in the photos than it really is, I used a long exposure to compensate for no flash. While in the Air Force, I spent several years on Hawaii, Guam and Okinawa. Ive got alot of souveneers that will be put on display, but Im kicking myself for all the things I didnt buy while there or discarded when it was time to move. I could really use that stuff now.
I bought the tiki torchs at a end of summer sale and electrified them, they look cool with the flickering candle bulbs.
Anyway here are a few more pics

On 2009-12-16 10:42, bigtikidude wrote:Kinda has a bit of a Buffet, parrot head vibe to it.
bring it over to the dark side of tiki and really get the mellow vibe going.
its very light in there.
paint the ceiling tiles black.

Jeff(btd)

I gotta go with BTF on this. However, it is better then my home bar (which is non-existant).

The great thing about this forum is there is a wealth of information regarding home bars, decor, music, etc...and a LOT of experts. People like Crazy Al and Bamboo Ben and so many others here can really set you in the right direction by following thier example of things they have built.

You might also want to check out any of Sven Kirsten's books (Bigbrotiki on this forum) because he has spent a lot of time documenting and defining the poly-pop art movement. This is to be distingushed from the Jimmy Buffet/vaguely tropical-party city type tiki decor that most of the general public thinks of when they hear the word "tiki".

I hate to ask but I gotta know: What comes out of that spout in the crotch of the tree? I hope it's not related to the peenuts...

Nothing comes out of it, but it IS pointed at the bed pan for subliminal purposes.

The bar top itself isnt finished yet, It is actally like a shadow box with a plexiglass top, I am going to fill the box with sand, shells, postcards and other pieces of flotsam and jetsam that I collected from the islands including two genuine Japanese glass floats that I found washed up on Guam.

As for the lighting, I think the photos are deceiving, but I suppose I could tone it down a bit.

The ceiling tiles are actually cheap straw beachmats stapled to the ceiling joists, but thats a subject for the Tiki On a Budget forum

If upgrading the wall coverings to lauhala or bamboo board is out of the question... or getting some split bamboo up on the walls...then maybe some color lighting in strategic spots might help add some more texture.

Raincape thatch on the roofline over the bar could be helpful too.

The lighting should be less "general" (like that ball lamp in the middle of the room) and more directional. Something that points into a corner... or a upward lamp that illuminates the wall. General lighting washes out the decor of the room and makes it feel less like a hideaway

Glass float lamps would provide both color and accent but no true "lighting" in the room.

preferably no white walls or ceilings and deeper wood colors and natural tans and browns...